What happened to Barton is not yet known, no further patents were traced after 1919 and so far the date of his death has not been identified.

Transcription

1 John Henry BARTON Between 1897 and 1919 John Henry Barton was the most prolific of british patentees relating to binoculars. He was born in Cheshire in 1851 and remained in north west England until the early 1890 s. The 1881 Census shows his occupation as a Clerk to a Calico Printer. By 1895 he and his family were resident at 19 Honeywell Road, Wandsworth, London, not far from the west side of Clapham Common. Honeywell Road had been developed in the late 1880 s, most of the properties intended for the lower middle classes. On 19 January 1895 J.H.Barton made his first ( known) patent application for a moveable hood for use with Magic Lanterns. ( John Stuart owner of Ross and Co. had purchased a property at 3 Northside, Clapham Common to convert into an optical works around 1891 and it is probable Barton had moved south to take up employment at the works.) On 20 August 1897 Barton, described as an Optician s Assistant, applied for a Patent (1897/19255) in respect of his design for a prismatic binocular. This was just after the incorporation of Ross Ltd. in July. John Stuart s name as Managing Director of Ross Ltd. Was added to the application in Ross Ltd manufactured this design as the first british prismatic binocular. Barton s name appears on several patents from Ross until 1905 when he must have left the firm to start up on his own account from premises at 196 Clapham Park Road London SW. Thereafter he described himself as a Manufacturing Optician. He continued to take out various patents including that relating to the Minim and probably developed a connection with Negretti and Zambra to provide them with binoculars. However by the summer of 1912 Barton, operating as a sole proprietor, was in severe financial straits with debts approaching 2,500, around 100,000 in current terms. He was saved by the formation of a Limited Company, Barton Linnard, in July. The names and addresses of the Directors suggests at least one was a relative and were from the area of his birth. Under the terms of the contract the new company purchased the assets of the business from Barton, paid off his debts and appointed him Managing Director with a portion of the shares. The Company s most famous binocular was the folding 5.5 X 16 Minim apparently sold exclusively by Negretti and Zambra but it also made at least one 8 X 15 prismatic binocular. During the Great War the Company was mainly employed on making box sextants. It also made rifle sighting telescopes and prismatic compasses. At the end of the War the Company was in financial straits owing to the ending of Government contracts. In correspondence with the Ministry of Munitions Barton indicated that the Company would resume making binoculars after the War.

2 After the War Barton took out two patents relating to prismatic binoculars, numbers and Based on these patents Barton Linnard Ltd. produced the 6 X 21 Britannic described as a Homogeneous Prism Binocular which was exhibited to members of the Optical Society, a trade body, on 13 January The binoculars rarity suggests a low volume of production but one bearing the serial number 6301 was offered for sale at an auction in The only known illustration appears in Dr.H.Seeger s volume on Military Binoculars ( and his later work on Zeiss binoculars 1894 to 1919 ). In December 1923 the decision was taken to wind up the Company. What happened to Barton is not yet known, no further patents were traced after 1919 and so far the date of his death has not been identified. Illustrations are in the folder J.H.Barton. CHRONOLOGY C.1851 John Henry BARTON was born in Altrincham or Bowden, Cheshire The National Census records J.H.BARTON and his wife Margaret resident at 11 Upper Hutton Street, Moss Side, Lancashire. His occupation was listed asa Clerk to a Calico Printer The National Census shows J.H. BARTON and his wife Margaret Ellen with 2 sons, John Henry aged 12 and Robert N.aged 9. They were living at 18 Greame Street, Moss Side, Hulme, Lancashire. BARTON s occupation is not stated. 19 January 1895 Application for Patent 1895/1287 Re a moveable Hood for Magic Lanterns. 20 August 1897 Application for Patent 1897/19255 Re a Prismatic Binocular. The Application gives BARTON s address as 19 Honeywell Road, Wandsworth and his occupation as an Optician s Assistant. In 1898 the name of John STUART Managing Director of ROSS LTD. was added to the Application. This suggests that ROSS obtained control of the Patent. Patent protection was also obtained in France and the United States. 21 December 1897 Application for Patent 1897/30247 Re a Foot Piece for Arc Lamps. 14 October 1898 Application for Patent 1898/21638 Re Improvements in Construction on Arc Lamps. 30 April 1899 Application for Patent 1899/7973 Re a hinge with four arms. Each binocular body was secured between two of the arms. The application was abandoned.

3 26 July 1899 Application for Patent 1899/15376 The binocular has top and bottom plates similar in shape to those on Ross s second series of binoculars. The bottom plates are secured to the hinge by flat curved arms possibly providing a means of collimation. 30 April 1900 Application for Patent 1900/7973 Re a Binocular Hinge. 12 February 1901 Application for Patent 1901/2951 Re a Metal Casing for Binocular Prisms The National Census, J.H. BARTON aged 50 years was described as an Optical Worker living with his wife Margaret aged 45, his sons John Henry aged 22, a Student and Robert N. aged 19 and one 15 year old servant at 19 Honeywell Road, Wandsworth. 18 September 1901 Application for Patent 1901/18667 Re Supports for Binocular Prisms. 8 August 1905 Application for Patent 1905/16125 J.H.Barton described himself as a Manufacturing Optician suggesting he had severed his connection with Ross Ltd. For a design applicable to Galilean binoculars where the magnification could be altered by changing the eyepiece lenses. The change effected by moving the eyepieces in or out. 9 August 1905 Application for Patent 1905/16241 Re a means of making the interiors of prismatic binoculars more accessible for cleaning without disturbing the optical components. The sides of the bodies can be detached. It is not known if this was adopted commercially. The firm of Goerz also developed detachable sides. 23 September 1905 Application for Patent 1905/19268 Re a Metal Container for Prisms. The prisms of binoculars were held in metal casings which were fixed to the top and bottom plates. Small screws allow for adjustments to obtain collimation.. This was a modification of patent 1901/ September 1905 Application for Patent 1905/19270 The aplication was by J.H.Barton and E.A.Chapman ( who later worked for W.Watson and Sons Ltd. ) Re Recesses in top and bottom plates to improve sealing in binoculars of the Ross type pattern. (Ross certainly put recesses or grooves in their top and bottom plates of their stereo prism binoculars.)

4 19 February 1906 Application for Patent 1906/4089 Re a focussing mechanism applicable to both prismatic and Galilean binoculars. It incorporates differential gearing to remove backlash. One application for use with prismatic glasses involves the focussing arms passing through apertures in the sides of the bodies. Apparently identical models using this system were marketed bearing the Dollond and Negretti and Zambra names.the N and G model was illustrated in the catalogue of the 1912 Optical Convention. 18 March 1910 Application for Patent 1910/6880 This was a design for a compact folding 5.5 X 16 prismatic binocular. Though made by Barton and later Barton Linnard Ltd it appears to have been sold exclusively by Negretti and Zambra as the MINIM. It was illustrated in the catalogue for the 1912 Optical Convention The National Census showed J.H. BARTON aged 60 years a Manufacturing Optician, ( Field Glasses) living at 19 Honeywell Road, Wandsworth with his wife Margaret and his son Robert N. aged 29, an Estate Agent plus one servant and two visitors 25 July 1912 Barton Linnard Ltd. Incorporated Co. No To acquire and take over as a going concern the business of a manufacturing optician carried on by Mr John Henry Barton at 196 Clapham Park Road, Clapham London SW. Directors, Edward Adolph EASON, a Manufacturer, of Sale in Cheshire, Edward William BARTON, a Banker of Sale in Cheshire and John Henry BARTON a Manufacturing Optician of 196 Clapham Park Road, London. By the terms of the purchase Barton s business debts of over 2,400 were paid off, he received a number of the shares in the Company and he was to act as Managing Director. The Company Formation papers make no reference to anyone or to any place with the name Linnard. 19 May 1913 Application for Patent 1913/11633 A design for a very compact prismatic binocular. The optical system used three prisms, two single reflectors and one double reflector. The objective lens was placed between a single and the double reflector. The objective exit is square. It is not known if it was ever produced. 28 October 1914 Application for Patent 1914/21681 A design for a non prismatic Opera Glass of very compact dimensions It is not known it was produced. 17 December 1915 Application for Patent 1915/17692 For a new design for a diaphragm with elevation adjustments with reduced backlash. This was for use in optical rifle and gunsights.

5 2 December 1918 the Secretary of Barton Linnard Ltd. wrote to the Ministry of Muntions stating his company had done much work developing sighting telescopes and the Ministry had not issued a contract. The Company was out of pocket by Some information on J.H.Barton was included. Our Managing director was engaged as a designer and patentee for many years at the firm of Messrs Ross, during which period they were indebted to him for many original instruments and for re-designing others and for improved methods of working. One of these instruments designed by him was found especially useful in the South African War and several thousands of these were made and used. Since leaving Messrs Ross other still more important designs have been brought out. It was to place these on the market that the capital of our Company was subscribed. 4 January 1919, J.H.Barton wrote to the Controller of Optical Munitions regarding the liquidation of the Company s contract to manufacture Box Sextants. The letter heading includes reference to being the patentees and sole manufacturers of the Minim Folding Prism Binoculars. It is clear from the letter that the company s financial position was not good. 9 April 1919 Application for Patent For a Prismatic Binocular. It claimed to be an improvement on the hinge normally employed in joining binocular bodies. The eye width adjusted was effected by a substantial rack and pinion mechanism. Focussing was by movement of lenses within the bodies below the eyepieces. Focusing and width are controlled by two horizontal wheels. 1 May 1919 Application for Patent For a improvement in the construction of microscopes ( of the Ross or Jackson types) whereby the body tube can be readily detached. 13 September 1919 Application for Patent For a design of a prismatic binocular. It incorporated the main elements of Patent It used a Porro combination of three right angle prisms set into a sub-frame which was inserted into the lower end of a moulded or cast body. The sub-frame could be adjusted in postion to effect collimation. Barton Linnard Ltd. Produced this design as the 6 X 21 Britannic, the only illustration occurs in Dr.H.Seegers work on Military Binoculars on page January 1921 J. the Britannic binocular was demonstrated to members of the Optical Society. This was a trade body for makers of scientific and optical goods. 7 December 1923 an Extraordinary Meeting of Barton Linnard Ltd. Was held at Parr s Bank Buildings, 3 York Street, Manchester. The following Resolution was passed. It having been proved to the satisfaction of the Meeting that the Company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business and that it is advisable to wind up the same. E.A.Radford, Edwards and Company were appointed Liquidators. 21 May 1924 Barton Linnard Ltd was officially Wound Up.

6 To date the compiler has not been able to locate the date of J.H. Barton s death despite research on the various sites for genealogical records. by Terence Wayland.